Graduate Java Software Engineer in City of London

Graduate Java Software Engineer in City of London

City of London Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Hays

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Develop and enhance a cutting-edge eFX trading platform with full ownership of the development lifecycle.
  • Company: Join a dynamic team within Global Markets, focused on innovation and collaboration.
  • Benefits: Flexible daily rate, hybrid work model, and contract until December 2026.
  • Other info: Exciting career growth opportunities in a collaborative, agile environment.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in the fast-paced world of electronic trading and algorithmic strategies.
  • Qualifications: Strong Java skills and experience in low-latency trading platforms required.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Join a fast‑paced and highly collaborative eFX Quantitative Developer team within Global Markets. You’ll help build and enhance a best‑in‑class eFX trading platform, working closely with quants and traders to drive automation, performance, and revenue. This role sits within the Principal Flow Trading stream and offers hands‑on ownership of the full development lifecycle.

Location: London (Hybrid)

Daily Rate: Flexible

Contract Length: Until Dec 2026

Start Date: ASAP

Key Responsibilities:

  • Develop and enhance a low‑latency, high‑throughput eFX algorithmic trading platform
  • Own initiatives end‑to‑end: analysis, design, implementation, delivery
  • Design, implement, and back‑test pricing and execution strategies
  • Build analytics to monitor model and platform performance
  • Enhance the proprietary eTrading framework used across Global Markets
  • Collaborate closely with quants, traders, and technology teams in an agile environment

Key Requirements:

  • Strong business knowledge of electronic trading, ideally eFX
  • Proven experience building low‑latency, event‑driven algorithmic trading platforms
  • Advanced Java expertise, including lock‑free and low‑garbage techniques
  • Experience working with quant teams and implementing algorithmic models
  • Familiarity with messaging protocols such as Aeron, Kafka, FIX, SBE, ITCH, OUCH
  • Knowledge of time‑series databases (preferably KDB) and Python for analytics
  • Full‑stack experience (React) is beneficial for building trader tools and dashboards

Additional Information:

  • Interview Process: Typically 2 stages — technical interview, system design, and team discussion

Graduate Java Software Engineer in City of London employer: Hays

Join a vibrant secondary school that prioritises excellence in education and fosters a supportive community for both students and staff. As the Head of Mathematics, you will benefit from a competitive salary, ongoing professional development opportunities, and a collaborative work culture that encourages innovation and growth. This role not only allows you to lead a dedicated team but also to make a significant impact on student achievement in a welcoming environment.

Hays

Contact Details:

Hays Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Graduate Java Software Engineer in City of London

Join Local Tech Meetups

Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Hays or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!

Contribute to Open Source Projects

Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Hays.

Tap into Online Developer Communities

Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Hays.

Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles

Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Hays that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!

We think you need these skills to ace Graduate Java Software Engineer in City of London

Java
Low-Latency Development
Event-Driven Architecture
Algorithmic Trading
eFX Trading Knowledge
Messaging Protocols (Aeron, Kafka, FIX, SBE, ITCH, OUCH)
Time-Series Databases (KDB)

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.

Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Hays.

Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Hays and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!

Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!

How to prepare for a job interview at Hays

Brush Up on Your Coding Skills

For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.

Know Your Tools and Frameworks

Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Hays uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.

Showcase Your Projects

Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.

Prepare for Behavioural Questions

While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.